International Consultant – Climate Finance Expert, Lebanon’s Green Climate Fund Readiness Project

Terms of Reference

International Consultant – Climate Finance Expert

Lebanon’s Green Climate Fund Readiness Project

Issued on: December 3, 2021

Background:

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the world’s largest dedicated fund helping developing countries to act on climate change. It was established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010. By channelling climate finance to developing countries, the GCF plays a crucial role in serving the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted in 2015.

The Ministry of Environment in Lebanon is currently leading the implementation of the “Strengthening and enhancing Lebanon’s institutional arrangements and capacity to enable and optimize access to the Green Climate Fund” project (2020-2022) which aims at supporting Lebanon to efficiently tap into the fund. Therefore, Lebanon has to align itself with GCF requirements and expectations.

One of the main GCF expectations from countries that want to benefit from the fund is to coordinate and prioritize governments’ needs across all sectors and stakeholders (this includes CSOs, the private sector and municipalities), and incorporate those priorities and needs in a Country Programme for engagement with the GCF.

Lebanon submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC in March 2021, with increased ambition in the mitigation and adaptation targets for 2030. The Country Programme will focus on prioritizing short term mitigation and adaptation projects for which funding is needed from the GCF, to achieve some of the NDC targets.

The Ministry of Environment has been leading on many initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the NDC, with the support of international partners. However, a comprehensive strategy is needed to address all support options and coordinate their implementation. It is through this strategy that Lebanon will be able to (1) estimate the cost of the NDC related projects, (2) decide on the best financial instruments for each project, (3) identify national or international funding and implementing parties for each project. The strategy will also allow national entities to coordinate their request for support, which will avoid duplicated requests and enhance climate proofing of economic and development projects being implemented in the context of the current social and financial crisis. With more predictability and clarity on climate finance needs comes a more targeted and transparent GCF Country Programme.

Objective of the consultancy:

The consultancy has 3 main lines of activities:

Review and compile existing costing of main mitigation and adaptation actions planned to achieve the NDC and likely to be included in the GCF Country Programme.

Identify mitigation and adaptation projects likely to be GCF bankable, and develop concept notes as per GCF guidelines.

Develop options for investment opportunities to implement the mitigation and adaptation actions likely to be included in the GCF Country Programme. This entails identification of the most fit financial instrument and source of funding (public, private, domestic, international) and elaboration on risks and barriers to implementing investment opportunities under the Country Programme.

General Terms:

The International Climate Finance Expert will be engaged in a fixed- price consultancy contract for a 6 month duration.

The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the National Technical Coordinator at the Ministry of Environment, and the oversight of the Coordinator of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Programme of the South Centre.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

Education:

Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent; PhD an asset) in Economics, Public Financial Management, Environmental Science, Law, or related fields of study. Background in other areas may be considered based on experience and performance in previous positions.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in international development, economic development and sustainable development with focus on public and/or climate finance, climate change/sustainable development institutional and policy issues;

Exposure to macroeconomics and fiscal policies.

Good understanding of Lebanon’s environment and development issues.

Proven ability to network and develop partnerships across a range of stakeholders and manage complex multi-stakeholder strategies and plans.

Preferred experience in relationship management with senior leaders and high-level audiences.

Experience working with government stakeholders in national and/or regional policy as well as understanding of GCF requirements for full size project development.

Experience across multiple contexts, and an understanding of international policy debates and challenges in finance and economics.

Language and Other skills:

Fluency in both spoken and written Arabic and English (working language);

Knowledge of French is an asset

Scope:

Under the supervision of the National Technical Coordinator at the Ministry of Environment, the consultant shall carry out the below tasks. The Project Management Unit (PMU) will provide backstopping support with necessary information and data, which it can access from different consultancy services for the project. The following tasks will be performed:

Task 1: Review and compile existing costing of main mitigation and adaptation actions planned to achieve the NDC and likely to be included in the GCF Country Programme

Review NDC baseline and projection model and identify main mitigation and adaptation projects needed to implement NDC targets, in close cooperation with the Climate Change team at the Ministry of Environment.

Review the climate proofing methodology developed by the Climate Change team at the Ministry of Environment.

Review pipeline of potential GCF projects being discussed for implementation in Lebanon.

Complete desk research and gather data on the existing published[1] and unpublished[2] costing and estimations of those mitigation and adaptation projects. Research should cover costing and estimations of details including but not limited to geographical coverage, implementation timeframe, stakeholders involved, status of project initiation and implementation, project specifications, challenges and barriers identified, etc.

Fine tune and adjust costing and estimations as needed through calculations, research, consultations or any other tool. Fine tuning and adjustments may include updating rates and prices, filling a data gap, modifying assumptions etc.

For each project, document the scope of costing, the gaps/conflicts in costing data and estimations, the stakeholders involved (project owners, funders, partners, influencers etc.), the history and status of implementation, and all the items necessary for the completion of infrastructure related costs. This entails creating and completing a user and reader friendly data base.

For each project, apply climate proofing methodology lens to identify potential double counting areas.

Provide preliminary classification of mitigation and adaptation projects using rough estimates of CO2 abatement per $ invested or number of people with increased resilience per $ invested. Other indicators may be adopted in mutual understanding with the climate change office.

Provide recommendations for further work to improve costing estimations.

Throughout the process, the consultant shall ensure ownership and inclusivity of relevant stakeholders.

Task 2: Identify mitigation and adaptation projects likely to be GCF bankable, and develop concept notes as per GCF guidelines.

From the database compiled in task 1, select in coordination with the climate change office and in consultation with stakeholders, 4 projects that have the potential to be funded through the GCF.

Develop 4 concept notes for these projects using GCF templates and guidelines.

Throughout the process, the consultant shall ensure ownership and inclusivity of relevant stakeholders.

Task 3: Develop options for investment opportunities to implement the mitigation and adaptation actions likely to be included in the GCF Country Programme. This entails identification of the most fit financial instrument and source of funding (public, private, domestic, international) and elaboration on risks and barriers to implementing investment opportunities under the Country Programme.

Consider all financing instruments applicable to the projects selected in task 2, including bonds, de-risking, guarantees, debt, equity, grants, loans, tax incentives, cooperative mechanism under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, etc. In addition, the climate proofing methodology developed by the Ministry of Environment under the UNDP Climate Promise should be considered and included as a maintainable practice to ensure development and infrastructure projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience against climate change impacts.

Based on consultations and analysis, link each project to appropriate financing instruments, and identify source of financing (public, private, national, international). The consultant is required to be as specific as possible, i.e. naming entities and potential investors, listing which elements of each project are linked to which instrument, specifying amounts etc.

For each project, analyse:

a. Institutional coordination needs to monitor and assess implementation

b. The technical and institutional capacity of the Ministry of Environment (Nationally Designated Authority to the GCF) and the Government of Lebanon to mobilize and scale up climate finance for the project

c. The efficiency of institutional climate finance flows for each financing instrument and corresponding entity.

d. The enabling legal and economic framework that would enhance private sector engagement in projects listed in task 2.

Co-organize and co-moderate a stakeholder workshop in close collaboration with the Project Management Team, to disseminate results and collect feedback. Should the workshop entail in person presence of the consultant, expenses will be covered by the project and are not to be included in the financial offer.

Throughout the process, the consultant shall ensure ownership and inclusivity of relevant stakeholders, and shall take into consideration exiting financing mechanisms and expand on opportunities identified therein.

Mode of work:

Work implies frequent interaction with the Project Management Unit (PMU).

Work also entails consultations with officials at Ministry of Environment and other line ministries, and other stakeholders within Lebanon, other consultants under the project, and the staff of the South Centre, as appropriate.

Results expected:

Task 1 (40%):

Database of compiled projects with costing related information, including accompanying explanations and recommendations

Task 2 (30%)

4 GCF project concept notes

Task 3 (30%):

Report on financial instruments

Participation in workshop preparation and moderation

Timeframe of service delivery:

Deliverable - Outputs related to task 1

Deadline - 2 months from contract signature

Remuneration - 40%

Deliverable - Outputs related to task 2

Deadline - 4 months from contract signature

Remuneration - 30%

Deliverable - Outputs related to task 3*

Deadline - 6 months from contract signature

Remuneration - 30%

* The consultant shall submit a written report to the South Centre to the end of the consultancy summarizing the activities carried on during the lifetime of the consultancy. The report shall include all backup documents of the main outcomes.

Contract type and Remuneration:

The International Climate Finance Expert will be engaged in a fixed- price consultancy contract for a 6 month duration. Once selected, a Special Services Agreement (SSA) will be signed with the awarded consultant in accordance with the regulations in force for the South Centre for such Special Services Agreements.

About the South Centre:

The South Centre is the inter-governmental policy research institution of developing countries, with currently 54 developing country member States from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The South Centre promotes more effective South-South cooperation and coordination, supports developing countries in participating in and voicing their development interests and priorities more effectively in various multilateral and regional development policy-related issues and fora, and provides policy advice and technical assistance to governments on their national development-related policies.

The main activities of the Centre are policy research and analysis, convening of meetings and conferences for developing countries to share views and experiences, and technical assistance and capacity building activities. The issues taken up by the Centre include international and regional trade policy, global macroeconomic and finance issues, global public health, innovation and intellectual property policy, climate change, environment and sustainable development, international economic issues including tax policy, external debt and international investment policy; human rights policy; global governance for and North-South relations, South-South cooperation, and global governance for development. The South Centre has three major institutional pillars: The Council of Representatives in which the Member States are represented; the Board comprising a Chairperson and members who act in their individual capacities and provide guidance to the Secretariat; and the Secretariat headed by the Executive Director which implements the activities of the South Centre. The Secretariat is accountable to and works under the guidance of the Board and the Council.
How to apply

Selection Process:

Application should be sent in English at applications@southcentre.int (stating ‘Climate Finance Expert – Lebanon’ in the subject) no later than CET 24.00 hrs. on 21 December 2021.

Application should include:

A Curriculum Vitae describing previously accomplished work related to institutional arrangements and/or analysis of environmental processes in the Global South;

Cover letter with indication of availability;

Detailed financial proposal.

Copies of qualifications, previous employment certificates, publications etc. should not be sent with the application. These may be requested at a later stage.

Only short-listed candidates would appear for an interview. Only successful candidates shall be contacted and thus candidates are kindly requested to refrain from enquiring about progress of their application.

The selected candidate is expected to take up the assignment by 17 January 2022.